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Heritage Assessment Analysis
Nurses are given the responsibility of caring for a diverse population of people in the United States. A nurse who is entrusted with the care of clients and their families must recognize the value and importance of providing culturally appropriate care (Giger & Davidhizar, 2004). Variations of ethnicity, religion, values and beliefs also make it imperative for nurses to understand that the experience of human diversity is very personal. “The immutable dimensions of diversity; ethnicity, race, gender, and sexual orientation, are socially determined to be important and their role in everyday interactions is reinforced through culture” (Dreachslin, Gilbert, & Malone, 2012, p. 324). For these and many other reasons, the consideration of each patient in a holistic manner and separate from the nurse’s own belief and cultural system will greatly enhance the patient’s ability to form a relationship with the nurse and enhance healthcare delivery. This paper will attempt to compare the health traditions between Mexican, Chinese and American cultures in relation to health maintenance, health protection and health restoration.
Although there are many variations within culture, awareness of the historical and social issues are essential for the nurse to be sensitive. In the Mexican culture it is important to recognize that the female generally takes the lead role in health care decisions (Eddenberger, Grassley, & Restrepo, 2006). The assessment of cultural perspective for this group of people would include the consideration of spiritual beliefs and folk remedies that may have been preventatively employed. The research completed by Eddenberger, Grassley and Restrepo established that the majority of Mexican-Americans are catholic and hold a very strong belief that God is in control of everything including their own will. Those that hold this

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